An Sidhean hill run
Length
5.8 Kms
Elevation gain
447.9 m
Max elevation
544.7 m
Difficulty
*****
Rating
***
Type
Out and back
Route id
554
Main road
0 Kms
Country road
0.9 Kms
Dirt road
0.7 Kms
Dirt path
1 Kms
Trail
3.2 Kms
0
Route summary
The An Sidhean hill run route is a trail run within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. The out and back covers a distance of 5.79 Kms ( 3.6 miles )
and has an elevation gain of 448 m ( 1469 feet )
.
Description
This is a short and tough run due to the steepness of the hill, but if you are used to a bit of hill in your runs then this is worth the effort. It starts from the main Strathyre car park and a short easy section of less than
1 Kms
takes you to the start of the climb. The route at this stage is well signposted.
Once off the small road you are climbing all the way to the top with only short sections of flat. This initial path is a little wet and in amongst the trees. The area around Strathyre is great for spotting red squirrels so keep a sharp look out.
The path through the trees ends on meeting the forest road. On turning right here you have a short section that is flatish before you meet the path on the left heading up hill. That path is steep and relentless all the way to the top.
This steep section is a well made path apart from when you are getting close to the top of the hill. That part is wet and the trail can be hard to spot. It heads round to the left of the hill before making a swing back to the top. You can of course go straight up the hill across the open heather but that's not an wasy route to try.
There are lovely views for such a short route and especially those down towards Loch Lubnaig. For the way back you are following your upward path, but on our route we choose the forest road for the return. This made it a bit easier on the legs after a lot of heavy going downhill.
Hope you enjoy this one, but although it is short, it ain't easy.
Route directions
Kms
1
Head towards the far end of the car park
0
2
From the far end of the car park take the path and head right
0.1
3
On reaching the road, turn left over the small bridge
0.5
4
At the tee junction turn left towards the school
0.7
5
The path is to your right and signposted
0.7
6
On reaching the forest road turn right
1.1
7
Leave the forest road and follow the signposted path heading steeply uphill
1.2
8
Past the resting spot and sign for last of the markers
1.5
9
Path is now becoming less distinct
2
10
Follow the path head left around the hill. It is faint at this point.
2.1
11
And at the top take in the view, rest, then return the way you came
2.5
12
Back at the forest road, turn left
3.8
13
At the tee in the forest road head right downhill
4.3
14
At the single track tarred road, turn right back towards the village
4.6
15
At the junction turn left towards the bridge and village
5.1
16
After the bridge take the path on the right, the same way you came out.
5.3
17
Leave the path and back into the car park
5.6
18
The end
5.8
Leaving the road and start of the trail
Path heading up the hill
Leaving the road and start of the trail
Signpost for the path up the hill
Forest road
Short length on the forest road
Start of steep path
Leaving forest road and heading up hill on the path
Contining up hill
The path remains steep
View point
Towards Loch Lubnaig
View point
Viewpoint marker
Rougher path
At points the gradient is not too bad
Rougher path
Looking back down the path towards Strathyre
Path becoming less distinct
And very wet in places
Path becoming less distinct
Very wet and slippy part
Looking back
Path does improve a little
Around the top
This one is slighlty off the route map shown
Around the top
Towards Lochearnhead
Around the top
Towards Ben Lomond
Around the top
General view
Road back to Strathyre
Keep an eye out for red squirrels on this short section of road.